Floor-drain trap.



J. J. DONOVAN.

FLOOR DRAIN TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED Dnc. e, 1912,

Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

COLUMBIA PLANoanAPx-x co.. WASmNaToN, D. c.

UNITED STATES;v PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J'. DONOVAN, OF DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

FLOOR-DRAIN TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented N OV. 25, 1913.

Application filed December, 1912. Serial No. 735,249.

Drain Traps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to drainage traps adapted to be placed at any point where surface water may drain into a sewer, andV being particularly designed for use in garages and stables'where automobiles or other vehicles are washed. The purpose of the trap is to prevent sand from being carj ried by the washing water into the sewer, where it would collect 4in bends and low points and eventually clog the sewer, and also to prevent volatile oils being carried into the sewer.

My primary object has been to provide such a trap, having a receptacle for catching solid matter, with means to make it im- -f possible for anything to pass through the trap when such receptacle is removed.

A second object has been to provide in a trap of this character an additional andf more efcient seal or guard to prevent washing of solid matter and volatile oil into the f l .there-fore cylindrical in form as indicated sewer.

A third object has been to providel valve means operable by water contained in the trap, or by the lack of water, to close thei trap against back flow of both sewer air' and sewerage from the drain into the building.

of water through the trap.

The foregoing are the main objects of my Other objects are subsidiary to invention. these, and will appear in connection with the description of the means which I have devised for carrying my various objects into effect.

ciples of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, this form being the one, which, at present I consider preferable, although not the only possible one.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitu.

dinal vertical section of a trap made in accordance wit-h my invention, such section being taken .on line 1--1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the trap. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on line `8-3 of Fig. 1.

The same reference characters indicate lthe same parts linall the figures.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents `the outer casing or body of the trap which is .adapted to be set into the floor of a garage or in fact of any room or building where vehicles are washed, or elsewhere. Said @casing has a Vflange 2 with an upturned lip yadapted to be interlocked with the material of the floor, and especially designed for interlocking with a concrete floor. This outer .casing is divided by a partition 3 into two chambers 4 and 5 which may be termed for convenience of description, the main chamber and the outlet chamber, respectively.

Although Vthe exact shape ofthe trap is not iat all material to the essence of the invention, yet I prefer to make it generally cylindrical, 'the chamber 4 being a large cylinider and the chamber 5 a small cylinder, these two cylinders merging together as shown.

IVit-hin the main `chamber of the outer leasing of the trapis placed an inner memiber .or receptacle .6 which follows generally the outline of the `niain chamber 4, and is -in Fig. 8. Said inner member or receptacle has a `iange 7 at its mouth which rests on ,a ledge 8 within the outer casing, and it also has a `plate or lug 9 extending over the part of the main casing which contains the chamber 5, and shaped to conform yto the .outline of chamber 5. Said extension or flug is provided with a linger projection 10 for a `purpose which I will presently describe.

The inner member or receptacle is provided at .diametrically opposite sides with .tongues 11 which are contained in grooves 12 in the walls of the outer chamber 4, such grooves being conveniently formed between ribs projecting inwardly from the walls of l i .the outer chamber as shown in Fig. 3. The One form of device embodying the prin- =tongues cross the annular spaces between the inner and outer members, and extend from the top thereof toward, but not quite to, the bottom of the outer chamber. In the side of the inner receptacle there is an opening 13 through .which the water in the receptacle may escape, and over this opening .extends a wall or baiie 14, .terminating in a lip 15 which is at a lower level than the lip 16 of the opening 13, and connected at its boundaries with the walls of the receptacle. The water which passes through the receptacle flows through the space 17 at the terminal edge of the wall 14, around the lip 15 and upward before it can pass over the lip of the outlet 13, being thereby caused to change its direction, and being checked in velocity, whereby the greater part of the solid matter carried in suspension is allowed. to settle in the chamber 6 and is not washed over the outlet lip 16.

The water issuing from the inner receptacle flows into the main chamber 4, passes under the tongues 11 at the opposite sides 'thereof and then flows over the top of the wall 3 into the smaller chamber 5, which may be called the outlet chamber or the valve chamber,y thence through an outlet 18 at the side of such outlet chamber, to a v pipe 19 which has a rising section 20 shown level above to a level below, both outlets, but

in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and a transverse section 21 leading to the sewer. The lowest part of the pipe section 21 is higher than the highest part of the outlet opening 18, where by to form a water seal against return of sewer air. The top of the wall 3, or rather the lip of the opening into the outlet chamber 5, which opening is also the out-let from the main chamber, is at a higher level than 'the lower ends of the tongues 11. Thus the tongues constitute baffles, intermediate the outlet of the inner receptacle and the outlet of the main chamber, which extend from a not to the bottom of the main chamber. Thereby is prevented a free flow of water from the outlet 13 around either side ofthe inner receptacle 6, directly into the outlet chamber 5. Such free flow might carry fine solid matter in suspension in the water, which hasnot had time to settle during the flow of water through the inner chamber 6. By reason of the tongues 11 the water iiowing from the outlet 13 to the chamber 5 must all pass below the lower ends of such tongues and then rise. The rise is through a considerable distance and is very nearly vertical, and thus opportunity is afforded for practically all of the solid matter to settle from t-he water before the water passes into the chamber 5. Y

In the chamber 5 is a transverse apertured partition, or flange 22 located at a level intermediate the top of the outlet 18 and the bottom of the discharge pipe section 21. A ring 23 is secured to this flange and is formed with valve seats 24 and 25 on its.

upper and lower sides, respectively. A float 26 which is also a valve is located above the partition and is :formed as to coact with the valve seat 24, and a valve 27, connected to a stem 28 passing from the float through the ring 23, is located below the partition,

and is adapted to coact with valve seat 25. The ioat 26 and valve 27 constitutes a double valve and also two oat controlled valves, having the function of sealing the trap against {iow of either air or sewerage from the sewer into the trap.

The normal position of the double float valve is that shown in Fig. 1, for the rising outlet pipe section 20 maintains a level of water in the outlet chamber 5 at a height sufcient to sustain the float in this position. Normally this body of water is a seal against flow of sewer air, but if the trap should be left unused for any great length of time, evaporation would remove enough water to destroy the seal, or it might happen that sometimes siphonic action would empty the sealing loop. lVhenever the water in this sealing loop or depression is withdrawn, from any cause, the ioat is lowered until it rests on the valve seat 24, thereby closing the chamber 5 against flow of air from the sewer into the trap. On the other hand if there should be a back flow of sewerage, the rising flood of liquid in the chamber 5 would lift the ioat 26 far enough to close the valve 27 against seat 25 before the sewerage could flow through the trap into the building. As the valve 27 is on the pressure side of tha seat, any unbalanced back pressure merely increases the degree of tightness with which it closed. The float and back pressure act on the valve in the same direction.

Another valuable feature of the trap is the provision of means which prevents it from being employed when the inner chamber or sand receptacle is removed. This inner chamber must be taken out and emptied whenever it becomes full of sand, but attendants of garages and like places are frequently averse to performing the labor necessary to remove the sand receptacle, empty it, and replace it, and whenever possible they will neglect to return the sand 1'0- ceptacle of a ioor drain trap equipped with such a receptacle, after having once removed it. The result of use of such a trap without the sand receptacle in place is that in a short time the trap itself becomes clogged with sand so that the water does not pass away freely, and sand is carried into the sewer with the water that does pass. To avoid any possi* bility of my trap being used in this manner l provide a valve 29 which is adapted to seat on an apertured plate or ring 30 mounted at the top of the outer chamber 5. Such apertured plate is secured to the upper edge of the partition 3 and to a fiange 31 on the outer wall of the trap. Conveniently the opening in the plate 30 is surrounded by a sharp edged ridge 32 to make a close joint with the valve. The valve is pivoted with provision for lost motion at 33 to a bracket 34, to which there is also pivoted at 35 a lever 36 which has an arm passing vthrough a bail 37 projecting from the upper side of the valve 29, and has a second arm 38 underlying the projection 10 of the extension plate 9 on the sand receptacle. lVhenever the sand receptacle is in place, as shown in Fig. 1, the projection 10 bears on the lever arm 38, raising the valve`29 and leaving the opening into the outlet chamber 5 uncovered. But when the sand receptacle is removed, the valve 29 falls by gravity into closed position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the lever 36 assuming a position, also indicated in dotted lines, where it is engageable and operable by the projection 10, upon replacement of the sand receptacle. Obviously, as long as the valve 29 is closed water will not flow from the trap, and so the trap is inoperative unt-il the sand receptacle is in place.

The top of the sand receptacle vis covered by a plate 39 which is perforated in the portion overyling the receptacle with a large number of downwardly flaring holes 40, and is imperforate where it overlies the extension 9. The perforated part of the plate is depressed, preferably at its central point, whereby the opening to one or more of the holes is at a comparatively low level. In the extension plate 9 there is a vent 41 surrounded by a rim 42 which rises above the level of the upper end of the lowermost of the holes 40. This vent prevents an air lock between the chamber 4 and the outlet chamber 5. Another vent 43 is provided near the upper limit of the deflector partition 14 and between the latter and the outer wall of the chamber 4, the upper opening to such vent being also above the lowermost of the holes in the cover plate 39. The vent 43 is provided both to prevent an air lool; between the receptacle 6 and the outer chamber 4, and also to serve other purposes which I will presently describe. Both the vents 41 and 43 have the function of serving as telltales in case the chamber 6 should be obstructed, this function being served by reason of the fact that the upper ends of the vent passages are at a higher level than the lowest holes in the cover plate. If the inner receptacle should be so far obstructed as to materially impede a stream of water, the water would rise above the level of the outlet 13 to the upper openings of both vents, and overflowing through the vents would vpass into the chamber 4. But the water rises above the lowest part of the cover plate and shows above such plate, before it is high enough to overflow through the vents, thus giving warning that the sand receptacle is obstructed and the same should be removed and cleaned out. Vent 43 also permits escape of the vapor of inflammable oils, which if carried through the trap into the sewer, would accumulate in open spaces and constitute a fire hazard.' In garagesV and elsewhere gasolene and other oils are frequently carried with the issuing water into thedrainage trap. Such of the oil as passes under the baflie lip 15 and escapes thence from the outlet of the sand receptacle, collects on the surface of the body of water entrapped in the outer chamber by the baffles 11. As the annular space in which the water thus collects is of greater area than either the inlet to the trap or the outlet therefrom, 'the water, even when the quantity flowing is the maximum, i's in a comparatively quiet condition in this space. Sufficient opportunity is thereby given for such oils as pass the baffle lip 15, under normal conditions, to rise to the surface of the quiet water in the outer chamber, and for the vapors of such oils to pass olf through the vent.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the course of the water from the inlet of the trap to the connection with the sewer is very sinuous and includes many changes of direction and that there are two obstructions between the inlet and the opening to the chamber 5, such obstructions being the partition 14 and the tongues 11. Each of these obstructions compels the water to flow upwardly after passing it, and thus not only precipitates suspended solid matter, but also holds back oils.

I claim:

1. A drainage trap comprising an outer member having its ultimate outlet at a level above its bottom, an inner member contained in said outer member to a depth lower than said outlet, having an opening in its top, which constitutes the only inlet to the trap, and also having a lateral outlet, and obstructing means between the side walls of the inner and' outer members located between the outlets of the two members and extending from a point higher than such outlets to a point lower than both outlets, but above the bottom of the outermember.

2. A drainage trap consisting of an outer casing having a vmain chamber provided with an outlet discharging at a height above its bottom, an inner receptacle contained in said chamber, open at its top and having an outlet in its side opposite to the outlet of the chamber, the side walls of said receptacle and chamber being separated, and

contained in said chamber, open at its topl and having an outlet in its side opposite to the outlet of the chamber, the side walls of :said receptacle and chamber being separated, and one of such walls having a tongue extending across the space between the walls from a level above the outlets to a level below the outlets but above the bottom of the main chamber.

LA drainage trap consisting of an outer casing having a main chamber provided with an outlet arranged to discharge at a height above its bottom, an inner receptacle contained in said chamber, open at its top and having an outlet in its side opposite to the o-utlet of the chamber, the side walls of said receptacle and chamber being separated by an annular space surrounding the receptacle7 and tongues projecting externally from opposite sides of the receptacle, intermediate the two outlets, to the walls of the main chamber and extending from the top of the receptacle to points lower than both outlets but above the bottom of the chamber.

5. A drainage trap comprising an outer receptacle, an inner receptacle Vcontained therein and of such dimensions as to provide a space between its side and the adjacent side of the Outer receptacle, said inner receptacle having an inlet and an outlet elevated above the bottom of the outer receptacle, said outer receptacle having an elevated outlet and containing an obstruction crossing the space between its wall and the inner Yreceptacle and extending both above and below the level of the outlet from the inner receptacle and below the level of the outlet from the outer receptacle.

6. A drainage trap comprisingan outer shell having an internal partition forming a main chamber and an outlet chamber, between which communication exists only over the top of said partition, an inner receptacle contained in said outer chamber and of sutliciently smaller dimensions than the latter to provide a space between itself and the side of the outer chamber, said inner receptacle having an elevated outlet, and a tongue intermediate such outlet and said partition, extending from the inner receptacle across such space Jfrom the top thereof to a point lower than the outlet from the main chamber.

7. A drainage trap comprising an outer chamber, an inner receptacle for solid matter removably contained in said outer chamber and so arranged that all the drainage water must pass through it before passing to the outer chamber, and means for preventing escape of water from the outer chamber except when the. receptacle is in place therein.

8. A drainage trap comprising ashell or receptacle having an outlet, a valve adapted to close said outlet, a sand receptacle removably contained in said shell, and means controlled by said sand receptacle for opening said valve when the sand receptacle is in place.

9. A drainage trap comprising an outer chamber, a sand receptacle or trap removably contained in said outerchamber, and means for preventing escape of drainage from said outer chamber when said receptacle is removed therefrom.

10. A drainage trap comprising an outer shell having an outlet, a normally closed valve governing said outlet, a sand receptacle removably contained in said outer shell and valve-opening mechanism controlled by said receptacle when in place for opening said outlet valve.

11. A drainage trap comprising an outer member having an outlet, a valve seat surrounding such outlet, a valve adapted to coact with said seat and constantly urged toward the seat, a sand receptacle removably contained in said outer member, and means connected with said valve and operated by said sand receptacle, when the latter is in place, for displacing said valve from said seat.

12. A drainage trap comprising a receptacle having an inner partition forming an outlet chamber, and having an outlet leading from a low point in such chamber, a connection extending from such outlet to the sewer and having a rising portion whereby to provide a water seal in the outlet chamber and a compound valve in such outlet chamber arranged to close the same either when the water escapes or when back flow of water occurs.

13. A drainage trap including in its construction a chamber having an inlet in its upper portion and an outlet in its lower portion, a valve seat member transversely arranged in said chamber between the inlet and outlet thereof and having seats on its upper and lower sides, a iioat contained in said chamber and formed to lit one of said seats and close the chamber when in contact therewith, a stem connected with said fioat and passing through the valve seat member, and a valve connected to said stem and constructed to iit the other of said seats.

lll. A drainage trap including in its construction a chamber having an inlet and an outlet located at respectively dierent levels, a valve seat member transversely arranged in said chamber at an elevation intermediate the levels of the inlet and outlet respectively, a iioat and a valve within said chamber connected together and located on opposite sides of said valve seat member, the iioat being constructed to fit one side of the valve seat member and the valve to lit the opposite side of said member.

15. A drainage trap having an outlet in its lower portion and containing an interior partition inclosing an outlet chamber in communication with said outlet, said outlet chamber having a transverse valve seat at an elevation above the outlet, and a double float valve contained in said outlet chamber and normally supported by a quantity of water in open position, said valve being constructed to seat and close the chamber when the water in the outlet chamber either lowers or rises. I

16. A drainage trap comprising inner and outer chambers, of which the former has its inlet through the top and has an outlet discharging into the outer chamber and the latter has its outlet at an elevation higherv than the bottom of the inner chamber, a perforated cover extending across the top of the inner chamber, and a vent from the outer chamber located between the inner chamber and the outer chamber outlet, and having its uppermost opening at a level higher than the lowest part of said perforated cover.

17. A drainage trap comprising an outer chamber having an outlet, an inner chamber or sand receptacle contained in said outer chamber, and a vent between the chambers serving to prevent an air lock and to act as a telltale when the inner lchamber is obstructed.

In testimony whereof I have afHXed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. DONOVAN.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR H. BROWN, P. W. PEZZETTI.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

